Sunday, December 17, 2017

Emmanuel's Dream, by Laurie Ann Thompson

(from publisher) "Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled. Thompson's lyrical prose and Qualls's bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity."

A beautiful book to explore the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities, especially as a result of the stigma and exclusion that can arise through fear of difference. An inspiring story that hooks children in to root for Emmanuel and others with disabilities who come out to cheer him on. Don't be surprised when your young readers cheer out loud at the end of this inspiring true story.

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